Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-03-24
CHOSE THE RIGHT MEN.
GENERAL APPROVAL OF THE Ma
TiONAL RAILWAY REGULATORS.

Gould and Others Declare Them Sc I've.
PIeased-A Lot of Work Cut Out for the
Commission-The Il. h .. Railway Deaf
Undoubtedly Fact. but the Dealers
Keep Nam-Railway Notes
WASHINGTON CITY, March 1.-THE per-
sonrel OF the interstate commission yras the
chief topic of conversation hera Wednesday.
and as general thing the composition of the
commission seems &c give satisfaction. The
high character, competence and special fit
ness OF the five gentlsm for the work be-
fore them is generally admitted. AMI is con-
sidered ample compensation for the long de-
lay III appointing them, and the president is
freely credited with having brought one Of
the most difficult tasks Ia has vet encoun-
tered 10 very gratifying and successful
conclusion
The organisation Of the commission is the
next thing looked for. Tile commissions of
the members have been signed by the presi-
dent and made ready to be sent 10 them, ard
it is expected they will inset in Washington
in few days and organize and get ready
for the delicate and diff ,uit dutis, before
Them, which will begin on the 5!h of next
month, the date on which the interstate
commerce law goes into effect -Four of the
commission are at their homes and will re-
quire some time to close up their present
business affairs Col Morrison. who is in
Washington, desires to return to his home
and settle up some personal matters.
The delay on the part of the commissioners
in getting together and organizing is not as
serious as the delay which it is fearcd will
grow out of the selection of quarters and
clerks, and the performance of a vast amount
Of corraspC ndence before ths commission
can take intelligent action on any of the
problems that are sure to b. thrust upon It
The gravest and most Fundamental questions
have arisen under the new law, and upon
these 1t is of the utmost importance
that the commission should clearly define its
position before proceeding with its work.
Two members of the commission. at leest.
have probably as yet given very little atten-
ton to these questions.
The questions referred 10 are of the must
radical character. In the first place it ia
disputed whether the law applies to shin
ments made from one point to another within
a state or only to those from one state to
another. The construction OF the clause
under like circumstances and conditions"
the clause in reference to long and short
bauis and other phrases used in the act, and
provisions made BY it, are so variously con-
strued by constitutional lawyers that one
construction would reduce the effects of the
new law to the most unimportant character,
while another would lead to complete re-
versal of commercial conditions and trans
Portation methods, and affect every branch
OF trade and every interest throughout the
United States
While it is generally believed that the
commission Is so constituted as to secure
conservative rulings on these questions, it is
conceded that many points of vast import
Hnces are IN doubt The bill appropriates
500 ,OO to pay all the expenses of the COM
mission for the first year of its existence,
while other expenses incidental to it are to
be met out of other appropriations for the in
terror department and the courts. The sal
aries of five commissioners at $500 each,
and OF the secretary at s., 500, and other
stipulated expenses, leaves So, to beck
peEses for assistance, clerical service. etc.
This represents a large clerical and official
force to be appointed in such manner, at
rates and for sucn duties as the commission
proval of the secretary of the interior. A
large and important bureau will undoubt-
edty be organized
Information has bsen received that thou
sands OF communications, queries. CONS
plants, etc, are ready to pour in upon the
commission whenever it is ready TO receive
them gentleman well qualified to speak !
recently told the president that house-eult
OF such documents was ready for mailing as
soon as the commission organized
1t Is understood that Ju ige Cooley, one
Of the Republican members OF the commits |
SION, vii be made president OF it. and that |
his will be in accord with President CIeve |
amos wishes, as evinced by his naming |
Judge Cooley first on the commission and |
him for the ionges. term-sfx |
years.
Senator Etmunds. in an interview |
i ednesiay, spoke highly Of NJ Walker. |
he Vermont member of the commission, |
Thonl be said, he knew thoroughly. Mr. |
" aiker, he said, had considerable expert
nee as state legislator in dasiiu. with rail. |
Dad questions He was a man Of extraor /
nary ability, a fine scholar, = man Of liter
ny attachments. vigorous, industrious and
'onest AL the way through and strong
nan in every respect When questioned
ib, ut the report that Mr. Walker was ap-
'ointei upon Mr.. Eduunds' recommsn Ia
lou, the Vermont senator replied: Il don't
acommend anybody. l sonetines give tes-
;mony as to the fitness of people for public
igties, but don't recommend